Ohio groups praise lake cleanup plan

CELINA, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's plan for stopping toxic algae on its largest inland lake drew mostly praise Friday from groups who have long urged increased efforts to improve the lake's water quality.

Toxic algae in Grand Lake St. Marys in Celina has led to water warnings and has hurt tourism. The lake is one of the state's most polluted due to run-off manure and fertilizer from nearby farms. The runoff contains phosphorous and nitrates that can hasten the growth of blue-green algae.

Governor John Kasich on Thursday announced a plan that includes stepping up water treatment and lake sediment dredging at the 12,700-acre lake.

"The state exceeded what we were asking for at this point in time," said Thomas Knapke, who heads the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission that earlier submitted a 10-year action plan to the state. "These are all steps in the right direction."

The state's plan includes treating part of the lake with the algae-starving aluminum sulfate and removing less desirable species of fish that are believed to stir up and release phosphorous in lake sediment.

The plan signals that the administration is committed to continuing efforts to improve the water quality, said Joe Logan, the Ohio Environmental Council's director of agricultural programs.

An official with Friends for the Preservation of Ohio State Parks is grateful for any attention to the problem, but would like to see more of the money being used to attack the "root cause rather than just the symptoms."

"We like the plan, but we don't think it goes far enough," said Bill Ringo, the group's vice president. "Putting alum in the lake is more of a temporary fix."

Ringo believes more of the money should be used to improve land management practices and reduce the amount of phosphorous and nitrates coming off the watershed into the lake.